Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 4:18-19

"for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." — John 4:18-19 (ASV)

For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that you spoke truly. The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

It would have been better if she had perceived that she was a sinner. Perhaps she did perceive it, but was not yet willing to confess it openly, so she said, "I perceive that you are a prophet." Now she has a religious difficulty; and what man or woman is there in the world, however far gone from morality, who does not have some religious difficulties? And the more immoral they become, the more difficulties they are very likely to have. I hate that style of preaching that is constantly pandering to difficulties that would never exist except in a dissolute generation like the present. We preach a plain gospel; and when their hearts are right, it is all plain to them.

To the one who desires to understand, difficulties soon cease to be a trouble. We should rather deal with people's hearts and lives than to try to answer their quibbling questions. This was the woman's dilemma.